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A top corporate recruiter reveals what it takes to reach the top of a major corporation.

Few people have as deep an understanding of corporate leadership as Umesh Ramakrishnan. As vice chairman of CTPartners, one of the world’s premier search firms, he has placed dozens of C-level executives at companies around the globe. Now he shares powerful lessons from his long career and also from exclusive interviews with top CEO’s.

Ramakrishnan identifies the qualities that distinguish those who are likely to make it from those who aren’t. And he explains, for instance:

Why the surest route to the top is not always straight up the greasy pole

How to meet the challengesand grasp the opportunitiesof globalization

There’s No Elevator to the Top is like an exclusive lunch date with a tableful of CEOs, as Ramakrishnan features the insights of dozens of top leaders at companies like Dell, Cadbury Schweppes, Aetna, BT Group, Pepsi, Infosys, and Ecopetrol.

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Longtime search executive, Ramakrishnan, sets out to examine and dissect today’s popular management principles and insights by traveling the world to interview members of the C-suite, the corporate world’s chief officers. Stories abound as the author recounts thoughtful conversations with leaders of Fortune’s largest companies and CEO’s of start-ups, including wisdom and advice from executives of Charles Schwab, JC Penny, Aetna, Cadbury Schweppes, and MediaCorp Group of Singapore to name a few. Lessons learned from his interviews include: everyone’s the CEO’s boss; everyone thinks they own you; not everyone likes you; know what’s going on; your constant responsibility is to filter and synthesize the information flow for your benefit; corporate culture begins with you; prepare as much as possible, then expect the unexpected; leaders know how to rally the troops; always strive to be better; and in the end, there’s only you left to blame. There is so much richness in the ideas and experiences chronicled in this excellent book, which offers special insight for library patrons. --Mary Whaley

Umesh provides consultation to the boards of directors and chief executives of global corporations. He has recruited members for boards of directors, CEOs, CFOS, COOs, and other senior management positions. Clients regularly engage him to conduct international assignments, leveraging his experience in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Before joining CTPartners, Umesh was COO of R&R International and President of R&R Global, an off-shore engineering and applications development firm. Though responsible for employees on three continents, his accomplishments include pioneering a 24/7 off-shore engineering services capacity before off-shoring became fashionable.

Based in Cleveland, Umesh has assumed leadership roles within the firm. He led implementation of the SearchSigma search process, an industry first. A member of the executive committee of the firm and the board of directors of CTPartners, he is one of the leaders responsible for the firm's global expansion strategy and implementation.

Regularly quoted in major industry and national publications, a sought-after speaker, and a regular guest on CNBC's Closing Bell and Power Lunch, Umesh graduated from Bangalore University in India and holds a master's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Texas. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Children's Museum of Cleveland.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I have read many leadership books - in fact, I began to read this one with guarded expectations, awaiting the standard advice of "listen more than talk" and "be nice to those who work for you." Refreshingly, Ramakrishnan's book reads more like a novel than the typical leadership book, offering smart insights into the C-suite of some of the world's most successful leaders. The pages flow and you catch yourself 30, 50, then 70 pages into the book, taking note of the advice provided by these executives without finding yourself losing patience with the all-too-often tiresome words of wisdom you've received form your college guidance counselor onwards. A good long-flight book or one that you can easily appreciate on a business trip. One note - don't be surprised if you don't instantly recognize all the executives in this book. This is truly a global book and Ramakrishnan takes us to places most US-centric leaderships guides do not. Well worth the time.

I was pleasantly surprised by the caliber of executives that contributed to this book. They are C-Level leaders of some of the most respected and well known companies in the world. I don't think this book was meant to re-invent the wheel. At the core of the book are basic fundamentals - things like hard work, dedication, preparation, and passion. But the book offers so much more. The stories that are told by the executives Ramakrishnan interviews are honest, refreshing, and overall captivating. Everyone defines success in their own way. If you aspire to truly have an impact on your organization, work your way up to the C-Suite, and ultimately be a leader, who better to get advice from than those that have a proven track record of doing it? The author impressed me with his overall knowledge of leadership, having placed executives in critical roles for many years. But he doesn't pretend to know the answers. Rather, he has brought a multitude of ideas together in an easy to read format. I would recommend reading the book with a highlighter, as there are a number of quotes worth reviewing on a regular basis. And just when you feel like you may be getting overwhelmed with information, each chapter closes with a nifty "executive summary" that outlines the key points. I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to any business professional.

There's No Elevator To The Top, might sound like a cliché but it was actually a compelling read. Unlike many other leadership books, and I have read many, this book offers refreshing and honest tips from CEO's all over the world. Ramakrishnan interviews CEO's from various industries and regions and seems to have a sound global perspective himself. The book showcases the global leaders as "real" people who have more in common with the average employee than one realizes. It outlines tips and experiences learned which have stuck with them throughout their careers. You can tell that Ramakrishnan was able to spend valuable one-on-one time with each CEO and it shows in their responses. It seems as if each person truly wanted to share secrets of their success. The book flows and is a great read during long flights. Well worth the time.